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Best of Toronto

The Best Bars & Nightlife in Toronto (2026)

Civil Liberties, Coda, Rebel, and Horseshoe Tavern anchor this guide. Toronto’s strongest nights out right now — menu-free cocktail temples, a proper techno room, the Port Lands megaclub, Queen West live institutions, Ossington burlesque, Parkdale after-hours, and an east-end music pub — from Bloorcourt and the Annex to Dundas West, King West, Parkdale, and Leslieville. Speakeasy doors and rooftop terraces live on their own lists. Closed and thin profiles cleaned up August 2026.

Updated for 2026•16 Destinations

No.1

Civil Liberties official cocktail photography from civillibertiesbar.com

Bar• Bloorcourt

Civil Liberties

“Best overall: no menu, no password — just a blank Bloor facade and bartenders who build the drink from the conversation.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Civil Liberties?** Marked only by the address and an illuminated golden pineapple at 878 Bloor Street West, Civil Liberties is Bloorcourt’s celebrated, menu-free cocktail haven. Founded in 2014 by Nick Kennedy and his team, the room pairs a warm, unpretentious neighbourhood pub aesthetic—complete with tin ceilings, exposed brick, and a shallow copper penny bar—with world-class bartending. Seating is centered around the lively main bar counter alongside a scattering of low-lit perimeter tables. **Civil Liberties Menu & What to Order** There is deliberately no printed cocktail list here; instead, the bar team improvises bespoke drinks based on your spirit preferences, flavour profiles, or current mood. If you want a dependable classic or an easy starting point, call for their velvety Nitro Espresso Martini or ask for creations incorporating house-made specialty liqueurs like Free Pizza or the Heisenberg. For bar snacks, you can order a charcuterie board or have hot Vietnamese eats delivered directly to your bar stool from neighbouring sister kitchen Vịt Béo. **Know Before You Go** Civil Liberties operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations, passwords, or dress codes. Prime spots fill up fast, so arrive right around the 6:00 p.m. opening on weekends if you want to snag two stools together at the bar without waiting outside. The bar is conveniently located just a five-minute stroll east of Ossington Station on subway Line 2.

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No.2

Coda’s disco-ball dance floor photographed for the club’s official site

Entertainment• The Annex

Coda

“Best late room in the city: a music-first Annex club that actually runs till 4 a.m. on the weekends that matter.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Coda?** Situated at 794 Bathurst Street directly opposite Bathurst subway station, Coda is Toronto's definitive underground house and techno haven in the Annex. Conceived by nightlife veterans Joel Smye and Stephan Philion as the successor to the legendary Footwork, the converted room strips away flashy velvet-rope pretension in favour of a monolithic, custom-tuned PK Sound system. Inside, a dynamic LED-matrix ceiling pulses over a spacious dance floor bordered by elevated perimeter walkways and bar perches. **Coda Menu & What to Order** While heavy basslines drive the night, the venue's service bars keep the room energized with premium spirits, classic highballs, tequila shots, and cold draft beers. When midnight hunger hits on the dance floor, the kitchen counter dispenses solid late-night essentials like pan-fried cheddar perogies with sour cream, southern fried chicken tenders, and crispy French fries paired with house aioli. Bartenders also sell the club's most critical non-alcoholic commodity: pair-packed earplugs for two dollars to handle the immense low-end frequencies. **Know Before You Go** Operating primarily on Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. (or later during special long-weekend showcases), alcohol service legally halts at 2:00 a.m. under Ontario regulations. Securing advance tickets via the venue site or Resident Advisor is essential since premier international headliners regularly sell out. Bathurst station is steps away for transit, the coat check is cash-only, and the venue strictly enforces a casual, dance-ready dress code that prohibits slides and flip-flops.

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No.3

Rebel’s main room and production, from the venue’s official site

Entertainment• Port Lands

Rebel

“The city’s actual megaclub: three rooms, a 65-foot stage, and a 2026 calendar that still runs through Carl Cox.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Rebel?** Occupying a cavernous 45,000-square-foot complex at 11 Polson Street in the Port Lands, Rebel is Toronto’s flagship megaclub and high-capacity concert facility. Developed by INK Entertainment on the historic footprint of The Docks and Sound Academy, the multi-room venue features a dramatic 65-foot stage, immersive lighting rigs, and panoramic skyline vistas along the edge of Lake Ontario. The sprawling footprint divides into distinct nightlife environments, from the stadium-scale Main Room and mezzanine VIP booths to Noir on the second floor. **Rebel Menu & What to Order** Rebel is engineered entirely around high-energy nightlife and live entertainment, meaning patrons should plan their meals well in advance of arrival. The beverage program is built around high-volume bar setups and high-end bottle service catered to plush banquettes. VIP tables routinely order magnum pours of Dom Pérignon or Armand de Brignac Brut Gold alongside tequila staples like Casamigos Reposado and premium Grey Goose. Bottle service setups arrive complete with sparkler presentations, personalized marquee signs, fruit platters, and mixer carafes. **Know Before You Go** Admission is managed via advance concert tickets, Saturday guest lists, or direct VIP table inquiries through the venue website. Given the Port Lands location well south of downtown transit lines, arranging rideshares or designated drivers in advance is essential to dodge post-show bottlenecks along Polson Street. Regular club programming operates every Saturday from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., with select tour stops and special DJ events held on Friday and Sunday nights.

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No.4

Horseshoe Tavern official Webflow OG photo from horseshoetavern.com

Entertainment• Queen West

Horseshoe Tavern

“Best live institution in the city: noon pints out front, a sweating back room, and a calendar that still means something.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Horseshoe Tavern?** Anchoring the corner of Queen Street West and Spadina since 1947, this hallowed tavern and venue is the ground zero of Canadian rock lore. The narrow front bar is dimly lit and lined with vintage concert posters, worn bar stools, and a pool table, while the back room opens into a 460-capacity live stage over iconic checkerboard floors. It remains an unapologetic, sweat-stained gathering place where music lovers crowd in for up-and-coming indie acts and surprise sets by stadium headliners. **Horseshoe Tavern Menu & What to Order** There is no kitchen or table service here; the Horseshoe focuses entirely on swift, unpretentious bar service. Patrons line up for crisp pints of Ontario craft draught, classic Canadian lagers, and an assortment of cold domestic tall cans. If you are settling in for a long set, the standard order is a straightforward rye and ginger or a whiskey neat to keep the night moving fast between guitar changes. **Know Before You Go** The front bar is open daily from noon for casual walk-ins, while entry to the back room requires show tickets purchased online or at the door. Arrive before doors open if you want to secure a stool upfront or claim a prime sightline by the stage. Transit access is effortless via the 501 Queen or 510 Spadina streetcars, which drop off steps from the entrance.

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No.5

Bar Pompette’s College Street room, from the official Pompette site

Bar• Little Italy

Bar Pompette

“Best neighbourhood cocktail night on College: walk-in only, Paloma Quemada, and a 2026 North America top-ten medal.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Pompette?** Located at 607 College Street in Little Italy, Bar Pompette is a globally lauded cocktail den from the hospitality team behind the Pompette group, including co-owner Martine Bauer and acclaimed bar director Maxime Hoerth. The intimate space blends Parisian cafe elegance with low-lit neighborhood charm, featuring a focal marble-topped bar counter, vintage bentwood bistro seating, and a leafy back patio for warmer evenings. **Bar Pompette Menu & What to Order** Behind the scenes, the bar relies on high-tech lab equipment—including rotary evaporators and centrifuges—to craft pristine, hyper-flavourful cocktails that arrive without pretentious theatrics. Start with the crystal-clear Paloma Quemada, an effervescent blend of burnt grapefruit, agave spirits, whey, and lime, or order the savory Cornichon, which leans on house-distilled pickle essence. Don't skip the draft Nitro Colada layered with coconut rum and curry leaf, paired alongside freshly baked bites and warm croque-style sandwiches from sister bakery Bakery Pompette. **Know Before You Go** Bar Pompette operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations, so arrive right around the 6:00 p.m. opening or late in the evening to claim a bar seat without a wait. Friday and Saturday nights draw steady crowds, while Sunday evening jazz sets offer a significantly more relaxed vibe. Streetcar transit via the 506 Carlton line drops you steps from the front door on College Street.

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No.6

BarChef’s Queen West cocktail room from the official contact page

Bar• Queen West

BarChef

“Best theatrical cocktail night: smoked Manhattans and a real weekly grid, not a gimmick door.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is BarChef?** Set behind an understated doorway at 472 Queen Street West, BarChef is pioneer mixologist Frankie Solarik’s moody sanctum of molecular and sensory cocktail craft. The interior is dim, sultry, and cavernous, appointed with dark woods, heavy drapery, glowing candlelight, and a sleek central bar flanked by plush lounge seating. It operates as an intimate liquid atelier, drawing a crowd that comes specifically for boundary-pushing spirits and elaborate aromatics. **BarChef Menu & What to Order** The menu revolves around house-infused spirits, bespoke syrups, and an encyclopedic library of artisanal bitters, organized across classic sippers and avant-garde modernist presentations. The undisputed calling card is the Vanilla and Hickory Smoked Manhattan, unveiled tableside in a swirling cloud of aromatic hickory smoke. Other highlights include the multi-sensory Spring Thaw, the floral King of Kensington, and the tropical, layered Coconut cocktail. A concise menu of small plates and charcuterie provides grounding sustenance between rounds. **Know Before You Go** BarChef accepts reservations for groups and dedicated cocktail seatings online, while maintaining space at the bar and lounge for walk-ins on a first-come basis. Peak weekend waits ramp up quickly after 9 p.m., so arrive near opening time to secure prime seats at the bar where the liquid nitrogen and smoke prep happen in full view. The 501 Queen streetcar drops off steps away near Augusta Avenue, making transit far easier than hunting for Queen West street parking.

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No.7

Mother Cocktail Bar’s Queen West room, from the official site

Bar• Trinity Bellwoods

Mother

“Best experimental cocktail night: a fermentorium behind the bar and a 2026 North America 50 ranking to match.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Mother?** Occupying a moody Queen West storefront at 874 Queen Street West across from Trinity Bellwoods, Mother is co-owner and bartender Massimo Zitti’s haven for fermentation science and boundary-pushing mixology. The interior trades clinical lab aesthetics for warm candlelight, exposed brick, and low-slung seating anchored by an intimate front bar counter where house fermentations and botanical distillates take centre stage. Ranked among North America’s 50 Best Bars, it operates as a serious, seated cocktail lounge built for deliberate sipping. **Mother Menu & What to Order** The rotating cocktail list leans heavily on house-made kombuchas, lacto-fermented seasonal fruits, and house distillates instead of traditional syrups. Order the standout Toasted Chai Piña Colada or the barrel-aged Negroni Ristretto infused with Colombian coffee beans and lacto-ferments. From the kitchen, balance the acid-forward drinks with the nori-dusted Mother Fries with tarragon aïoli and the beef striploin Mother Tartare prepared with shio koji and miso egg yolk. **Know Before You Go** With limited square footage, weekend table reservations via their website are essential, though duos and solo walk-ins can often snag bar stools right when doors open at 6:00 p.m.. Take the 501 Queen streetcar to avoid the headache of Trinity Bellwoods street parking. Mother is open seven nights a week, pouring until midnight Sunday through Monday, 1:00 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday, and 2:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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No.8

The Drake Underground’s neon-lit basement stage, from the official Drake site

Entertainment• West Queen West

The Drake Underground

“Best hotel basement in the city: a 200-cap stage that still breaks bands and then flips into a late dance floor.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Drake Underground?** Tucked in the basement beneath The Drake Hotel at 1150 Queen Street West, The Drake Underground is West Queen West's quintessential subterranean performance room, incubator, and dance enclave. Conceived as part of hotelier Jeff Stober's multidisciplinary arts and hospitality footprint, the space holds roughly 200 people under an illuminated grid ceiling, pairing low clearances with a stage close enough to catch guitar pedal settings from the front row. Perimeter leather banquettes, standing cocktail ledges, and a rapid-fire service bar frame the sunken floor, maintaining an electric, floor-shaking intimacy that easily shifts from indie rock showcases to late-night DJ sets. **The Drake Underground Menu & What to Order** While the basement room specializes in swift liquid fuel, patrons can sip house draughts, Ontario craft tallboys, and sharp signature cocktails like the house Paloma, tequila highballs, and classic Drake Caesars. Concert ticket holders who want to eat beforehand can tap the hotel kitchen upstairs for iconic Drake standards like the signature Drake Burger—built with Perth bacon, aged cheddar, crispy red onions, and Russian dressing—alongside bistro fries with tarragon aioli. Lighter, shareable options like pork and shrimp potstickers and vegan plant-forward appetizers make it easy to grab dinner before heading down the stairs. **Know Before You Go** Advance tickets are strongly recommended for touring acts, album launches, and signature comedy nights, while recurring weeknight parties often accept easy door walk-ups. The venue runs Tuesday through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (closed Mondays), hitting peak room energy and line queues after 10:30 p.m.; hotel guests get priority entry. Take the 501 Queen streetcar directly to the hotel entrance and follow the stairwell down past the front desk.

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No.9

Cameron House official Wix OG photo from thecameron.com

Entertainment• Queen West

Cameron House

“Best painted tavern on the strip: two rooms, a real calendar, and a Queen West night that still feels local.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Cameron House?** Anchoring 408 Queen Street West just west of Spadina Avenue, The Cameron House is Toronto's quintessential bohemian watering hole and live-roots sanctum, operating in its legendary cultural form since 1981. Behind the iconic mural-splashed exterior, the narrow interior glows with warm vintage lamps, wood-paneled walls, worn communal tables, and ceiling murals that frame an unpretentious, two-room venue. Seating revolves around a lively front-room bar where resident singer-songwriters play inches from your glass, alongside a dedicated 70-capacity back room for ticketed showcases, comedy, and touring acts. **Cameron House Menu & What to Order** This is a classic Queen West music tavern rather than a sit-down eatery, where the focus remains on honest pours and straightforward libations. Grab a fresh draft pint from local Ontario craft breweries, split a pitcher of cold lager among friends, or order a classic rye and ginger from the seasoned bartenders. When the venue occasionally collaborates with seasonal food pop-ups or neighbouring street vendors, quick bites pair seamlessly with a stiff pour of straight bourbon or Ontario cider. **Know Before You Go** Tables operate strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations accepted, and the intimate front room fills quickly before early-evening 6:00 p.m. and late 10:00 p.m. sets. Front-room performances typically operate on a pay-what-you-can (PWYC) donation model where passing the hat is traditional, whereas back-room gigs require cover at the door or advance tickets via the venue's online calendar. Take the 501 Queen streetcar or take a short walk west from Osgoode Station; bring cash for artist tips and the bar.

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No.10

A live band under The Painted Lady neon, from the venue’s official site

Entertainment• Ossington Strip

The Painted Lady

“Best Ossington night that is not a cocktail bar: live sets, bartop burlesque, and a room that actually goes late.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Painted Lady?** Anchoring the lower stretch of the Ossington Strip at 218 Ossington Avenue, The Painted Lady has stood as an unapologetic beacon of West End grit and late-night revelry since 2008. The narrow, low-lit space revolves around a 34-foot handcrafted mahogany bar, vintage pin-up accents, and a compact stage that constantly blurs the line between performer and patron. Seating is limited to bar stools, narrow ledges, and a seasonal front patio, keeping the floor primed for live sets, open mics, and bartop dancing. **The Painted Lady Menu & What to Order** While the entertainment rotates constantly, the kitchen and bar focus on straightforward fuel for long nights. The kitchen's mainstay is the Super-Loaded Nachos, layered with melted cheese, pickled jalapeños, and fresh house-made salsa—frequently ordered alongside a round of pints or as part of the weekend margarita deal. Behind the bar, 16 rotating draught taps feature Ontario craft breweries, accompanied by well-mixed classics using fresh-squeezed citrus and an expansive selection of bourbon and Irish whiskey. Happy hour runs daily from open until 9:00 p.m., making early-evening drinks remarkably accessible for the neighbourhood. **Know Before You Go** The venue operates on a walk-in basis with no table reservations, and peak weekend dance parties quickly draw lineups down the sidewalk. Early evening shows like acoustic sets and piano jams generally carry a low or pay-what-you-wish cover, while later weekend dance and burlesque nights feature a door charge. Transit is straightforward via the 505 Dundas streetcar or the 63 Ossington bus, as street parking along Ossington is notoriously scarce.

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No.11

A Morning Mass night at Comfort Zone, from the club’s official gallery

Entertainment• Parkdale

Comfort Zone

“Best after-hours in the city: midnight-to-morning house, not a guest-list club with a 2 a.m. last call.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Comfort Zone?** Long recognized as Toronto’s premier sanctuary for electronic music diehards, Comfort Zone anchors Queen Street West in Parkdale with a raw, music-first ethos. The relocated dance institution strips away velvet-rope pretense in favor of a bass-heavy dance floor, tuned sound system, low moody lighting, and marathon DJ sets that run straight past sunrise. Seating is strictly incidental—featuring sparse perimeter perches and standing room built around an unwavering focus on the selector's booth. **Comfort Zone Menu & What to Order** Comfort Zone operates strictly as an after-hours dance institution rather than a culinary venue; you come here to move, not to dine. While standard alcoholic bar service is poured in the initial hours before Ontario’s legal cut-off, the real sustenance during Friday A.M. Sessions and Saturday Morning Mass is liquid stamina. Patrons keep things simple with uninterrupted rounds of ice-cold bottled water, chilled Red Bull, and electrolyte beverages to fuel eight-to-ten-hour dance floor shifts. Plan to eat dinner along the Parkdale strip beforehand, as the counter here deals purely in dance-floor hydration. **Know Before You Go** Doors swing open right at midnight on Friday and Saturday, with the heaviest foot traffic streaming in between 2:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. as the rest of the city's bars wind down. Entry is managed via door cover and advance tickets on event listings, requiring valid 19+ photo ID and a zero-attitude "come as you are" dress policy. Catch the 501 Queen streetcar directly to the door for the simplest transit connection home after sunrise.

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No.12

Project Gigglewater’s Dundas West room, from the official gallery

Bar• Dundas West

Project Gigglewater

“Best Dundas West hang that is not a speakeasy bit: serious drinks, share plates, no phone, just the room.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Project Gigglewater?** Occupying a cozy stretch of Dundas West at 1369 Dundas Street West, Project Gigglewater is veteran bar operator Alfred Siu’s neighbourhood cocktail lounge named after 1920s slang for booze. Inside, warm ambient lighting, rich timber, and polished brass fixtures anchor an intimate space lined with cozy banquettes, low tables, and prime bar counter seating. It strikes the ideal balance between serious cocktail craftsmanship and unpretentious local warmth. **Project Gigglewater Menu & What to Order** The drinks roster swings from clever, savoury inventions to impeccably balanced classics—the signature Pho Get About It shakes spice-infused rum with lime and a cilantro-basil rice milk syrup, while the Negroni Frappé delivers pure refreshment. Unlike many late-night bars, the kitchen treats food with genuine care until last call. Standouts include the crispy-edged double smash burger, house chicharrones with guacamole, and flaky cod fish tacos. **Know Before You Go** Online reservations are available with standard 90-minute table seatings, but bar stools and front tables are kept accessible for walk-ins. The room fills quickly after 9:00 p.m. on weekends and on promotional evenings like Smash Burger Sundays. The 505 Dundas streetcar stops steps from the front door, making transit the easiest way to arrive.

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No.13

Themed private karaoke room at Bar Mordecai, official Squarespace photo

Bar• Dundas West

Bar Mordecai

“Best dressed-up night on Dundas: a fake hotel lobby that actually pours, plus karaoke downstairs if you booked it.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Mordecai?** Perched along Dundas West near Dovercourt Road, Bar Mordecai channels the dusty pastel glamour of vintage hotel lobbies through a distinctly Wes Anderson-inspired design lens. Created by the team behind Mahjong Bar alongside celebrated drinks director Christina Veira, the upper level features glowing rose lighting, curved velvet banquettes, a vintage phone booth, and marble bar seating. Downstairs reveals an entirely separate mood, where the Green Room lounge opens into four private, musically themed karaoke suites. **Bar Mordecai Menu & What to Order** Cocktails lead the experience, pairing serious mixology chops with playful touches like boozy house-spun soft serve and the Bad Mother, a rich riff on Canada's classic Shaft. The food program complements the glassware with Iberian-influenced tapas and elevated drinking snacks, highlighted by charred coliflor asada with hummus, artisanal conservas, and cured meat boards. Pair a funk-forward pet-nat or an herbaceous mezcal cocktail with their vegetarian snack plates before heading downstairs. **Know Before You Go** Upstairs tables and bar counter seats welcome walk-ins early in the week, but reservations via Resy are essential for weekend drinking crowds. The basement karaoke rooms operate under strict two- to three-hour booking blocks with set room fees and minimum spends per guest, so book those private rooms weeks ahead. Arrive easily via the 505 Dundas streetcar, as neighbourhood street parking is scarce on bustling weekend nights.

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No.14

Charlemagne’s second-floor cocktail room, from the official site

Bar• King West

Charlemagne Cocktail Bar

“Best King West hide: a 25-seat Parisian room upstairs from Café Renée, now with an official site and a real hours grid.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Charlemagne Cocktail Bar?** Perched on the second floor of Café Renée at 100 Portland Street, Charlemagne is an intimate, 25-seat hideaway styled after a 1940s London drinking den with old-world Parisian warmth. Concealed behind an unmarked black door up the stairs, the room brought to life by beverage director Gus Edmundson and partner Nick Liu features low amber lighting, rich brown leather booths, and a steady soundtrack of jazz and vintage standards. It operates as a civilized, relaxed counterweight to the louder party spots along the King West strip. **Charlemagne Cocktail Bar Menu & What to Order** The cocktail programme balances high-technique house originals with bespoke drinks mixed according to your exact flavour preferences. Standouts include The Redwood, a Cognac-anchored Black Manhattan variation layered with Amaro Lucano, red cedar tincture, and an elaborate house-infused cherry, as well as The Rabbit Hole, blending bourbon and Campari with earthy lion's mane mushroom tincture and carrot-orange-blossom syrup. Rather than generic bar snacks, the compact food lineup comes straight from Nick Liu's kitchen, featuring delicate steamed wontons and savoury dumplings that punch far above standard pub fare. **Know Before You Go** Given the tight ~25-person capacity, booking a booth through Resy is strongly advised for peak weekend nights, though walk-ins of one or two can often secure counter stools by asking the Café Renée host on the ground floor. Tuesdays feature live jazz sets that draw a dedicated cocktail-loving crowd. Portland Street parking is notoriously limited, making the 504 King streetcar to Portland the most painless transit option.

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No.15

The Duke Live stage in Leslieville, from the venue’s official site

Entertainment• Leslieville

The Duke Live

“Best east-end night: a real live room with a kitchen, a daily 2 a.m. close, and none of the downtown door drama.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Duke Live?** Occupying 1225 Queen Street East since 1870—originally as the Morin House Tavern before operating for decades as the Duke of York—The Duke Live is Leslieville's unpretentious live music tavern. The vintage brick exterior opens into a spacious, no-airs interior equipped with a raised performance stage, a long wooden bar lined with beer taps, casual dining seating, and a licensed outdoor patio. It skips Queen West cocktail polish in favour of neighbourhood warmth, routinely hosting local rock acts, big band jazz ensembles, and regular community events. **The Duke Live Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out a dependable lineup of classic tavern comfort food alongside seasoned Greek specialties. The standout order is the crispy chicken wings, fried extra crunchy, tossed in your choice of sauce, and plated with blue cheese. Hearty appetite calls for the grilled chicken souvlaki dinner served with tzatziki, fries, and a feta-loaded Greek salad, or the beer-battered North Atlantic haddock fish and chips that goes down easily with a cold local draft. Duke's Own Nachos and deep-fried mozzarella sticks provide reliable fuel between sets. **Know Before You Go** Seating is casual and walk-in friendly for regular drinks and food, though prime tables near the stage fill quickly during Sunday big band sets and touring band bills. Friday nights draw lively crowds for karaoke kicking off at 10:00 p.m. Getting here is direct on the 501 Queen streetcar, with metered street parking dotted along Queen Street East.

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No.16

Rivoli official Wix OG photo from rivolitoronto.com

Entertainment• Queen West

Rivoli

“Best multi-room night on Queen: dinner, a rack of pool, then whatever is happening in the back room.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Rivoli?** Anchoring 334 Queen Street West since 1982, the Rivoli is an essential Queen West institution operating as a three-part machine: a casual front resto-bar with a street-facing patio, an iconic 240-capacity backroom that helped launch The Kids in the Hall, and a bustling vintage pool hall upstairs. The ground-floor dining room pairs local art exhibits and low hanging lights with booths and bar seating, maintaining a bohemian energy that has outlasted decades of retail turnover along the strip. It remains an intimate, unpretentious cultural clubhouse for indie music, comedy bills, and late-night drinks. **Rivoli Menu & What to Order** The kitchen delivers eclectic global comfort food designed for easy group sharing before a set or over a game of billiards. The non-negotiable starter is an order of Wookie Balls—Rivoli’s deep-fried, sesame-crusted sticky rice balls served hot with sweet chili sauce—alongside crispy Laotian spring rolls. For mains, the Rivoli Classic Pad Thai has been a menu staple for decades, rivaled by the crispy buttermilk fried chicken sandwich topped with pickled red onions and chipotle mayo. Pair your meal with local draught beer or highballs poured with house-label Rock & Union spirits. **Know Before You Go** The resto-bar and second-floor pool hall operate on a walk-in basis, with the pool tables ($25/hour) filling up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights (which turn 19+ after 9:00 p.m.). For backroom concerts and comedy shows, buy tickets online in advance and arrive when doors open to secure prime sightlines in the narrow room. Take the 501 Queen streetcar directly to Peter or Spadina, or park at the Green P surface lot on Soho Street just north of Queen.

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